Coming off his fourth NBA season with the Utah Jazz, the 6-foot-8 Hayward is a restricted free agent. The Cleveland Cavaliers brought him in for a visit this week, but were reportedly reluctant about providing him an offer sheet, on the reasoning the Jazz might match any offer.

The Hornets need a wing shooter-scorer, and Hayward, 24, fits that description. He averaged 16.2 points, 5.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds last season. His field-goal percentage slipped from 43.4 percent in the 2012-13 season to 41.3 percent last season, but that in part reflects the struggles the Jazz had after center Al Jefferson signed with the then-Bobcats and power forward Paul Millsap signed with the Atlanta Hawks.

Jefferson and Hayward are friends from their time together in Salt Lake City. Jefferson said at the news conference announcing his All-NBA selection that he planned to help recruit players to Charlotte.